Goat Playground Ideas
Three easy DIY goat playground ideas that you can use to create a setup for your herd. Repurpose what you already have and turn it into a climbing area for your goat herd.
This tip on how to raise dairy goats that are friendly by giving them a place to play, socialize, and do what they love to do: climb.
There is nothing I enjoy more than sitting and watching my goats jump and play out in our pasture. Many time they are like a bunch of kids playing king of the mountain trying to be the only one at the top of the hill. Even our older does will get in on the play with their kids using their heads to gently push the younger goats off.
Raising healthy and happy goats by encouraging them to be active is easy if you have a play area set up. That’s why building a goat playground is a great project. But what is a good option and how much skill do you need to build one?
I have our favorite ideas to share with you that we have used throughout the years, and luckily, each one needs little to no building skills. Just a few materials, and you can set up a spot for your entire herd to enjoy.
What safety measures must be taken when building a playground for goats?
Safety is important when building things for goats because the last thing you need is a broken leg or other injury. The main thing you want is a setup that is sturdy and will hold up to the wear and tear from your herd.
You will also want enough room for everyone to move around safely, about 15 square feet of space for each goat is good. Finally, ensure there are no loose boards, nails that are sticking out, or other areas that may cause injury.
Be sure to grab the FREE Goat Playground Guide below!
Parts of a Goat Playground
Goats love to climb more than anything, and you will see even young kids climbing anything they can find at an early age.
Having a platform of some kind will get your herd playing right away. The good news is you don’t need anything elaborate; even a plank a few inches off the ground will keep your goats happy.
You can use various materials to build a simple setup that your goats will love to play on.
- Tires: Stack tires on top of each other and create an obstacle course for your goats.
- Logs: Use different-sized logs to make a bridge, a see-saw, or a balancing beam.
- Wood: Start from scratch and use scrap wood to construct a new setup.
- Platforms: Build a couple of platforms and use a ladder or a ramp to connect them.
- Bales of straw: Goats will love to climb on square and even round bales.
I have even seen goats use a trampoline! They are like a bunch of kids when you think about it.
Make sure to use sturdy and toxin-free materials and avoid sharp edges or nails that can harm their delicate hooves.
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Size and Location
The size of your goat playground depends on the number of goats in your herd and the size of the goats you raise. It should be spacious enough for them to run and jump but not too big that they can fall or get hurt.
The playground will be best located in a pasture area that is fenced in. You will want to also check to see if you have shade included to help keep your goats out of the sun in the hot summer weather.
Kid-Safe Playground
If you have baby goats or young kids, you need to make sure that the playground is safe for them as well. Avoid using tall structures they cannot climb or get down from easily. Incorporate surfaces that are not slippery, especially when it’s raining or wet. If you are building your playground, go over the setup and look to see that all nails are hammered in completely.
- Avoid sharp edges and nails: Remove any parts of the playground that could injure your goats, especially sharp edges or nails sticking out from the wood.
- Keep it sturdy: Make sure the playground is stable and secure so it doesn’t wobble or collapse when goats jump on it.
- Don’t use any treated wood: Treated wood can be toxic to your goats, so be sure to only use non-treated wood.
- Keep it free of harmful plants: Check your playground’s surrounding area for any poisonous plants that could harm your goats.
- If you have a higher setup you can use scrap wood to build a ladder ramp making it easier for your smaller goats to climb to the top.
DIY Playground Ideas
Building a goat playground doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. You can use recycled materials, spare pieces of wood, ladders, or ramps turning trash into a treasure for your herd.
Be creative, and involve your entire family in the process. It’s an excellent opportunity to teach your kids or grandkids about repurposing and putting what you have to good use.
Examples of DIY Goat a Playground
If you are struggling to come up with ideas, this list will get you started.
Idea #1. Use leftover logs from felling trees to give different things to climb on.
Idea #2. Use old wood wire spools for mini mountains so your goats can play king of the mountain.
Idea #3. Little Tykes toys are great for smaller goats and young goat kids.
Idea #4. Put an old picnic table in a pasture for a great instant climbing platform.
- Teeter-totter: This is another fun element you may want to add to your goat playground.
- Stack old tires to make a tower that goats can jump and climb on.
- Playground: If you see an old kids playground for sale you can use that to make a play area for your goats.
- Place benches at different heights and create a staircase for your goats to climb.
- Use a log and add in a cut tire for a mixture of play areas that your goats can climb on.
Maintenance and Inspection
Any structures for livestock should be routinely inspected, and any updates or repairs should be made as needed. By being proactive, you can limit any unnecessary injuries. We like to inspect our playground setup every few weeks in the spring and summer when we know it gets its heaviest use.
- Check for any loose or broken areas and replace them immediately.
- Keep the area clean and free of debris or feces as you would any shelter. Soiled bedding can cause issues with illness or parasites.
- Look for hardware such as nails or staples that may be sticking out and replace them if needed.
- Look for any holes in which a goat may get a foot or leg stuck. You can cover these areas up with scrap pieces of wood
A goat playground can give your goats a place to jump and climb as they love to do. It’s easy to build one without breaking the bank by repurposing things you may have lying around. Things like wood, logs, tires, and benches are all great options that you can use to construct a climbing area for your goats.
Bookmark this page and come back to it anytime you need a few more goat playground ideas.
